Umoja celebrates Black History Month in populated event

Valley College takes part in recognizing African American achievements.

By Sayeh Saadat, Staff Writer

Students enjoy lunch at Valley College's Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 22. The event was hosted by The Umoja Black Scholars Program. (Violett De Jean | Valley)

Elliott Coney, the Umoja counselor and coordinator at Valley College, hosted a gathering last week filled with food, music and gifts to celebrate Black History Month.

The event partnered with The Educating Students Together College Access Program, National College Resources Foundation, The VIP Scholars Program, Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley and California State University-Northridge Outreach and recruitment. Over two hundred fifty guests attended the event, who were mostly students from neighboring high school and Valley residents. The festivity was held at the Student Union Plaza and lasted for about five hours.

“Our goal is to provide voice and connectivity for black students and the community as a whole,” said Dr. Coney.”There is voice and power to black students in the Valley.”

The Umoja Black Scholars Program focused the workshop on reaching out to young adults outside of the Valley to bring them together and talk about African culture, history and traditions. This was achieved through speeches from Dr. Coney and Valley president Dr. Barry Gribbons, and a musical performance by Dr. Jewel Jackson, the founder of African Soul International. Dr. Jackson also discussed the achievements of African Americans and contributions they have made.

Dr. Jackson has a Ph. D in education from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. She gave a speech about black scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs and politicians who have had a significant role in developing new technology, legislation and medicine.

Dr. Jewel Jackson spoke about African American scientists, inventors, and politicians on Feb. 22 in a Black History Month Celebration. (Violett De Jean | Valley Star)

Dressed in an African long dress and a green turban, she also talked about the continent of Africa and its vastity, both in land and in the wealth of underground resources, and how it plays a vital role both in agriculture and technology. She reminded everyone that without some chemical elements that are exclusively found in Africa such as cobalt, there would be no laptops or smartphones. She then went on to talk about the amount of gold and diamond that is spread all over the continent from Ghana to Sierra Leone.

“Our only achievement can not be surviving slavery, which thank God we did,” said the mother of five. “We have so much to be proud of. The world can not survive without Africa. Our contributions to science, literature, technology, politics and humanity need to be acknowledged.”

She ended her speech by inviting guests to participate in playing two different kinds of African musical instruments called Djembe, a drum that is made out of wood and goat skin, and Djun Djun which is made from wood and cow skin and played with a stick while singing an African song.